Inking apparatus for machines for stamping decorations on pottery ware



Oct. 16, 1951 A, WELLS ET AL 2,571,638

INKING APPARATUS FOR MACHINES FOR STAMPING DECORATIONS ON POTTERYWARE Filed 001). 6, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet l ""3 INVJV/TORS am a. 9m, M 4 19 WELLS ET AL INKING APPARATUS FOR MACHINES FOR STAMPING DECORATIONS ON POTTERYWARE Oct. 16, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 6, 1950 L r EI LU! Oct. 16, 1951 A. A. WELLS ET AL 2,571,638

INKING APPARATUS FOR MACHINES FOR STAMPING DECORATIONS ON POTTERYWARE Filed Oct. 6, 1950 s Sheets-Sheet 3 iii,

I I46 145 I44 1m Wme BY W Patented Oct. 16, 1951 INKING APPARATUS FOR MACHINES FORf STAMPING DECORATIONS ON POTTERY WARE Arthur A. Wells and George S. Knapp, Newell, W. Va., assignors to The Homer Laughlin China Company, Newell, W. Va., a corporation of Delaware Application October 6, 1950, Serial No. 188,726

14 Claims. (01. 101--335) This invention relates to potteryware decorating machines, and more particularly tothe apparatus therein for inking decorating stamps.

Emerson Patent No. 2,437,224 discloses potteryware decorating apparatus'in which decorating stamps are carried by the opposite ends of a horizontally oscillating crosshead. As the crosshead oscillates, first one stamp and then the other is positioned above an inking platen and then above the ware to be stamped. During pauses between oscillations the stamps are moved down to press one against the platen and the other against the ware. The ink is spread over the periodically rotated platen by means of a roller that rolls back and forth across the platen. The patented machine works very well when opaque ink, such as gold, is used. It has been found, however, that ceramic inks, which are glass-like when fired and therefore more or less translucent, are not spread out evenly enough on such a platen for consistently good decorating. The result is that the ink picked up by the stamp does not have uniform thickness, so when the decoration is fired the places where the decoration has been applied more heavily than others appear darker. This is undesirable when the entire decoration is supposed to be the same shade of color, as is the case with the Well known Blue Willow patterns.

In an attempt to improve this situation, it was decided to spread the ink out evenly on the platen by means of a doctor blade traveling continuously around the axis of the platen. For a few revolutions of the blade this seemed to be the solution of the problem, but it was found that after that globules of inkstarted to form along the blade and then to leave its trailing edge and distribute themselves over the smooth surface of the thin layer of ink on the platen. These globules were picked up by the stamp and formed dark spots or smears in the decoration stamped on the ware.

It is among the objects of this invention to provide a potteryware decorating machine in which a thin layer of ink of uniform thickness is spread out on a platen by means of a doctor blade, and in which globules of ink adhering to the blade are periodically transferred from it to the ink on the platen in a location where they will not be picked up by the decorating stamp.

In accordance with this invention, a horizontal platen is provided with an ink-receiving surface, above which a doctor blade is mounted. The blade is spaced from the platen a distance 2 equal to the desired thickness of the ink that it spreads on the platen. Provision is made for moving the blade horizontally over the platen to spread ink out evenly on its surface. To remove adhering globules of ink from the blade it is raised periodically. This is done over an area of the platen where the globules, which are thus transferred from the blade to the platen, will not be picked up by the decorating stamp that receives ink from the platen. It is preferred that the ink-receiving surface of the platen be circular, and that the doctor blade extend across the space between the center of that surface and its circumference. In such a casethe blade is driven continuously around the platen, and preferably is raised every time it reaches a certain point removed from the area where the stamp receives its ink. The outer end of the blade is advanced circumferentially of the platen relative to the inner end of the blade so as to maintain the roll of ink in front of the blade substantially uniform in size from end to end. This keeps the roll of ink from moving lengthwise off either end of the blade to any material extent. A desirable way of raising the blade periodically is by means of one or more cams. Although the rotating blade may be driven from either end, it is more satisfactory to drive it from its outer end, such as by a continuously rotating horizontal ring connected with the blade.

The preferred embodiment of the invention 'is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a side view of our machine with the stamps raised; Figs. 2 and 3 are horizontal sections of the machine taken on the lines IIII and III-III, respectively, of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a cross section of the machine taken on the line' IVIV of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section of the inking apparatus taken on the line VV of Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is a view of the outer end of the inking arm; Fig. 7 is a vertical section through the arm taken on the line VII-VII of Fig. 5; and Fig. 8 is a reduced view, similar to Fig. 5, but with the doctor blade advanced about degrees around the platen and raised by the cams.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 4 of the drawings, the table top I of a frame supports a vertical sleeve bearingZ rigidly mounted on it. Extending through this bearing and the table is ,a hollow shaft 3 that is splined on a post 4 rotatably mounted near its lower end in a bearing 5. This bearing is mounted on a cross member 6 attached to a pair of spaced beams I and 8 extending 3 lengthwise of the frame about midway between its top and bottom. Rigidly mounted on the upper end of the hollow shaft is a crosshead forming a pair of arms 9 and I projecting in opposite directions from the shaft. The outer ends of the arms carry stamps I2 and I3 for decorating the upper surface of a dinner plate I4 or the like. When one of the stamps is made of such size that it decorates only the bottom 0f the plate while the other stamp is madejlarger for the purpose of stamping a design around the brim of the same plate, the larger stamp I3 is connected to its supporting arm in such a way that it can be flexed downward and outward to fit the inclination of the brim. Apparatus enabling this to be done is shown in the drawings but is not described here, because it forms no part of the present invention.

Disposed above the table at opposite sides of sleeve bearing 2 and directly below the two stamps are inking and Ware-supporting members. The ware-supporting member includes a horizontal chuck H on which a flexible suction cup I8 is mounted. The centers of the cup and chuck are connected by a passage to the upper end of a vertical pipe I9 on which the chuck is rigidly mounted. The pipe extends down through table I and a tubular support 2! slidably mounted in bushing 22 mounted in the table. The lower end of the pipe is connected with a tube 23 that is connected through a valve 24 to a vacuum pump 25 at the opposite end of the machine. When the valve is open, the air pressure between the suction cup. and dinner plate I4 is reduced so that the plate is drawn down tightly on the chuck and held there against displacement during stamping. The lower end of support 2| is connected through a post 26 to a roller 21 supported by a cam 28 mounted on a shaft 29. This shaft is journaled in bearings 3| mounted on vertical supports 32. Other details regarding the mounting for the chuck are not described herein, because they do not form a part of this invention.

Just before valve 24 is opened, the dinner plate is centered on the chuck by three vertical centering fingers 33 mounted on the ends of arms 34. The opposite ends of the arms are pivotally mounted on the upper ends of pins 36 secured to the top of the frame at equally spaced intervals around the chuck and at uniform distances from its axis. Rotatably mounted on each pin below the arm is a roller 3'! that pro-. jects into a peripheral groove in a horizontal ring 38. The ring is rotatably supported by the rollers. The pivoted end of each arm has a bifurcated lateral projection 39 that straddles a pin 4I projecting from the top of the ring. It will thus bev seen that if the ring is turned, the pin will swing the arms and cause the centering fingers either to engage and center a plate mounted on the chuck or to move away from the plate, depending upon which way the ring is turned.

For turning the ring, a pin 42 projecting from its bottom is engaged by the bifurcated end of an arm 43 rigidly mounted on the upper end of a shaft 44 that is journaled in table I and in a bearing 46 on beam I below it. The lower end of the shaft'carries a laterally projecting arm 41 that is periodically swung. back and forth by an actuating member. This member includes a rod 48 slidably mounted in bearings 49 and 50 mounted on beam I. Slidably mounted: on the rod adjacent bearing 49 is a sleeve I which is urged to the right by a coil spring 52. The other end of the rod rides in a grooved cam 53 rigidly mounted on a horizontal cam shaft 54 journaled in bearings 55 supported by beams I and 8. Every time one of the cam notches reaches the adjoining end of the rod, the spring moves the rod toward the axis of the cam and thereby turns the shaft 44. If the plate is engaged by all three centering fingers before the rod stops moving, the plate is not broken, because the spring is not strong enough for that. Cam shaft 54 is driven continuously from an electric motor 6I mounted in the base of the frame. The motor is connected by a belt 62 to a pulley 63 mounted on one end of a shaft 64 journaled in bearings 66 in the bottom of the frame. The other end of the shaft supports a smaller pulley 61 which drives, through a belt 68, a pulley 69 above it connected to a speed reducing unit 10. This unit is mounted, on a projecting end of the cam shaft 54.

In order to reciprocate the stamps so that.

they will engage the dinner plate and the inking member, a cylindrical bearing I5 is loosely mounted on the lower end of hollow shaft 3, between a pair of collars I6. Opposite sides of this bearing are recessed to provide parallel flat areas, against which blocks 11 are reciprocable transversely of the shaft. These blocks are pivotally connected by pins I8 to the forks of the bifurcated end of a lever 19. The opposite end of the lever is pivotally mounted on a horizontal shaft 8|, while one side of its central portion carries a roller 82 that projects into a groove in the side of a cam disc 83 rigidly mounted on the cam shaft. Consequently, as the cam raises and lowers the lever, hollow shaft 3 is moved up and down on post 4 with which the shaft can rotate in sleeve bearing 2 When the shaft descends, axial alignment of the stamps with the ware on the chuck is assured by guide fingers 84 projecting downward from the cross head arms and which slide between rollers 86 at the outer end of a guide member 8'! projecting laterally from, the top of the sleeve bearing. Lateral movement of the stamps during stamping is thus prevented. Also, as the stamps descend, the suction valve 24 is opened by a cam 88 on a shaft 29 which is, driven by a sprocket 89. The sprocket is driven, by a chain 99 extending around another sprocket 9| on one end of cam shaft 54. The valve in the suction line is held open until after the stamphas risen away from the ware.

The side of cam disc 83, opposite to roller 82 is provided with another groove that contains a roller 93 connectedto the side of a lever 94 which is pivotally mounted on the horizontal shaft 8| journaled in bearings 96 connected to the side of upright members 91 extending from the table down to beams I and 8. As the cam disc 83 rotates, the lever is raised and lowered. The outer end of the lever is pivotally connected by a vertical link 98 to the outer end of an arm 99 that thereby oscillates a shaft IIlI journaled in pedestal bearings I02 in the bottom of the frame. This shaft carries a bevel gear I03 that meshes with a, bevel pinion I04 on the lower end of post 4 whereby the post is turned when the shaft is rotated. The relation of the gear teeth to the pinion teeth is such that for each oscillation of the gear the. post is. turned degrees.

Theapparatus foe inking the stamps includes a circular horizontal platen I06 supported above below this ring is the inner portion of a horizontal ring gear I I2 which likewise is coaxial with the platen and is slidably supported for rotation by a ring II3 that rests on the top of table I. For a purpose to be described later, the ring gear is driven continuously by a pinion I I4 mounted on the upper end of a shaft I I6 journaled in a bearing II1 mounted on the table. The shaft extends down through the top of the table and supports a bevel gear II8. This gear meshes with a vertical bevel gear I I9 on one end of a horizontal shaft journaled in bearings I2I (Fig. 4) secured to the bottom of the table. The opposite end of this shaft carries a sprocket I22 that is driven by a chain I23 from a sprocket I24 on cam shaft The center of the platen is provided with an opening encircled by a cam ring I26 which also forms a wall for the inner edge of the platen. Extending through the opening is a post I21 which is rigidly mounted on the top of the table. A block I28 is rotatably and slidably mounted on the post above the cam ring. The block is supported by a cam follower roller I29 projecting from one side of it and resting on top of the cam ring. The block is pressed downward by a coil spring I3I encircling the post above it and compressed between the block and a nut I32 on the upper end of the post. This block supports the inner end of an arm I33 that extends outward across the platen and across its outer wall I08. The outer end of the arm has a downward extension, to the lower end of which a cam follower roller I34 is secured. This roller rides on flange III of platen ring I09 and thereby supports the outer end of the rod. As shown in Fig. 6, the outer end of arm I33 also has a rearwardly projecting lug I36 provided with a vertical opening through it for slidably receiving a post I31. The lower end of this post is rigidly mounted in ring gear II2, so that it is carried around the platen by the rotating gear. A coil spring I38 encircles the post between the lug and a nut I39 on the upper end of the post. It will be seen that with this arrangement the post I31 carries the arm around the platen and thereby rotates block I28 around center post I21. At the same time, however, the arm and block are free to be moved vertically on the two posts for a purpose that will be described presently.

A supply of ceramic color on the platen is spread out evenly over its upper surface by means of a doctor blade I4I that is carried around the platen continuously by means of arm I33. The blade may be connected to the arm in any suitable manner which permits it to be adjusted vertically. Preferably, the blade is provided with vertical slots I42, through which thumb screws I43 extend for clamping it against the front of thearm. To permit fine vertical adjustments of the-"blade to be made, the arm may be provided with a pair of longitudinally spaced vertical bores, the lower portions of which are cut out to form vertical slots I44 in the front face of the arm as shown in Fig. 7. Slidably mounted in these slots and bores are hook bolts I 46, the lower ends of which extend through holes in the blade. The threaded upper ends of the hook bolts extend above the arm and are threaded in sleeves I41 that are mounted betweenbrackets I48 connected to the front and back of integral bosses I49 on top of thearm. Threaded on the sleeves are nuts I5I and I52. When thumb screws I43 are loosened, the nuts can be turned to raise or lower the blade relative to the arm or to level the blade. Then the thumb screws can be tightened to hold the blade in the new position.

The doctor blade is set with its lower edge onl a slight distance above the platen so that it will spread the color out into a very thin. layer or film. The blade is maintained parallel to the platen in order to makethe layer of color uniform in thickness. The surplus color forms itself into a roll extending the full length of the blade and that is rolled around the platen by the rotating blade. As the color is removed from the platen by the stamps, it is replenished from the roll, to which more color can be added from time to time. The arm I33 and blade are not disposed truly radially of the platen, because that would cause the roll of color to travel lengthwise toward the outer end of the blade. Instead, as shown in Fig. 2, the outer end of the arm is advanced circumferentially of the platen relative to its inner end an amount sufficient to keep the roll of color from moving endwise. This can be done b fastening the inner end of the arm to one side of block I28 in such position that the arm extends outward at an angle to a line perpendicular to that side of the block. An angle of about 10 degrees has been found to be satisfactory.

After the doctor blade has made a few revolutions around the platen, globules of color start to form along the bottom of the blade. If the blade travels continuously in the same horizontal plane the globules will break away from the trailing edge of the blade and distribute themselves over the film of color on the platen. Those that are deposited in the area where the stamps are inked will be picked up by the stamps and smear the decorations on the ware. It is a feature of this invention that the deposit of such globules of color on the platen is avoided in the area engaged by the stamps. This can be accomplished by raising the doctor blade periodically for a moment. It is most convenient to do this once every revolution by means of cams. Thus, the inner cam ring I26 is provided with a raised cam I55, over which roller I29 must roll. When this happens, the roller raises the block on center post I21 and thereby elevates the arm and doctor blade momentarily. To help in this raising and to prevent sagging of the outer end of the arm, the flanged ring I09 beneath the platen also is provided with a cam I56, over which the outer roller I34 rolls at the same time that the inner roller rolls over cam I55. The two cams therefore are disposed on opposite sides of the center post. When the arm and block are raised by the cams, the springs on posts I21 and I31 are compressed and quickly push the block and arm back down again as soon as the rollers leave the cams. The cams are located in a position where the arm will be raised soon after it has left the area of the platen where the stamps are inked.

It has been found that by periodically lifting the doctor blad momentarily in this manner the globules of color which were formed on it while it was spreadin the color out thin on the platen will be removed while the blade is passing over the mound of color that is formed on the platen where the blade is raised by the cams. Before new globules are formed on the blade in sufiiterraces 1' vent-number to be deposited orrithe .lnkingearea 'ofthe platenj they' arearemoved' when the' blade -'-is raised the next timeyiThe reason whyior 'the manner in which the' globulesare removed ""from the doctor blade when it islifted isnot fully understood, but the fact remains that: they are removed. One explanation I is that-"as the blade approaches the mound of color between '1 the -two came the bl'ade pushes the mounds'ahead slightly, so that when'the blade starts;:to= descend from its elevated position it cuts down intosthe -Iorwa'rd portion of the :mound, which thus wipes the globules from theblade; :In'any event, when :theblade leaves the mound ot colori it isrsubstantially free of color globules' 'ahdidoesnot deposit any: on the color'iniheinking area. Consequently,: with this apparatus aosmooth -layer of 'color'of uniform thickness always is spread out evenly over 'the inking area of the i platenso'that the stampswillpickiup a 'uniform fllm "of color *and will'stamp on' the-"warelidecorations that will be colored a uniforin' shade after' firing.

-According to the-provisions of the'ipatent statutes, we have explained the principle 'of'our invention and have illustrated and'described what we now considerto represent its best embodiment. However, We desire to have it :understood 1 that, within the scope of the'appended claims, I the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically" illustrated and described.

We claim: 1. In a machine forstamping decorations on potteryware, a horizontal platen provided with a circular ink-receiving surface, a doctor blade extending-across the space between the center and circumference of said surface a'short distance -above the platen, means for driving. the bladecontinuously. around the platen to-spread ink out evenly on it, and means forraisingthe I blade periodically to .remove adhering globules of ink from it.

' 2; In a machine for stamping decorations on .apotteryware, a horizontal platen provided with a circularink-receiving surface, a doctor blade extending across the'space between the "center i and circuiz'i'ference of said-Surface. a short-distance above the. platen; meansfor drivingirthe 1 blade continuously around the platen to spread ink out evenly on it, the blade being askew rel- :-:ative to the radius of said surface witht-he'outer end ofithe blade in advance'ofits inner end, and means foinraising the .blade periodically to remove adhering 'globules of ink from it.

' 3. In a machinefor stamping decorations on 1 potteryware, a horizontal platen'provided'with a :circular. ink-receiving surface, a doctor bladeiextending across the space between the center and i circumference of said surface a. short distance ..above the platen, means for driving theLbla'de continuously around the platen'tospread ink out evenly on it, the outer end:of the blade being ad- --vanced circumferentially of saidsurface relative to the inner endiof the blade sufficiently toimainitain in front ofthe blade a roll of inkof substan- 'tially uniform size from end to .end',..and means for raising the blade periodically to remove adheringglobules of ink from it.

- 4. In a machine for stamping decorations-on potteryware, a horizontal platen. providedwith a' circular ink-receiving surface, a-doctor' blade ex- :tending across the space-between the-center and circumference of said surface. a short distance above the .platen means .for ldrivingathe blade .zcontinuously around the platen. to spread. ink out evenlw briait, "and a cam? for periodically raising If the blade momentarily ate 4 transfer 1 adherin globules: of link from it to apredetermined area of'the ink'on the platen.

1 5. In' a'imachine 'forfstamping 'decorationsmn 'potteryware, a horizontal platen provided with a circularink-receiving surface, a doctor blad extendingacross thespacebetween the centerl'and circumferenceof 'said surface ashort distance above the platen; a continuously rotating member connected with the outer endof the blade for car'rying' it 'around the platen to spread ink "out evenly, and means for raising the blade'pef riodically-to remove adhering globules or ink I from it.

' 6. In a machine'for stamping decorations on 1 potteryware, a horizontal platen'provided with a I above the platen, a horizontal ring coaxial with said surface, means for rotatin the ring conzitinuously, means connecting the ring with the outeriend of said blade to'move the blade with the ring, and means for raising the blade periodically to'remove adhering globules of ink trom 7. In amachine for stamping-decoration ion pottery-ware; a horizontal platen, a'post extending above the center of the platen; a support slidably and rotatably mounted on the post, a doctor blade connected with the support and extending outward toward the edge of the platenymeansior rotating the blade continuously around the post to spread ink out evenly'over the platenfand a cam for raising-said support periodically to' lift the: blade so as to remove adhering globules of ink from it.

8; In a machine for stamping decorations on *potteryware, a horizontal platen, a post extenddngabove the centerof the platen, a support slidably and rotatably mounted-on thepost, a' doctor blade fastened to the support and extendingloutwarditoward the edge of the platen, means :for

, rotating the blade continuously around the' post 1 to spread'inko'ut evenly'over the :platen; a stationary cam, and a cam follower roller' carrledlby said support-and eng-ageable with the cam i'or :periodically raisingthe support to lift theblade.

' 9.- In a'machine for stamping decorations on -potteryware, a horizonal platen, a-post extending abovethecenterof the platen, a support slidably and rotatably'lmounted-on the post,'anarm-'exatendmgs from. the support :outward' across 'the platen, a doctor bla'decarrled by the arm a short distance above the platen to :spread inlc evenly thereon, means connected with the outerend of the :arm' for rotatingssaid support'around 'the post, and a cam for periodically sliding the-support .up the post to lift theblade.

10. 'In a machine for stamping decorations on npotteryware', a horizontalfplaten, a post extendevenly'thereon, means for adjusting thewblade vertically on :the arm; meansdor rotating'isaid support around the post, a stationary cam,1'a;nd

-- a cam -follower roller carriedby said support .and engageable .with the cam for periodically "raising the support to lift the blade momentarily.

11. In a machine for stamping decorationsron potteryware, a horizontal platen; a post-extending above the center of the platen, a support slidably and rotatably mounted on the post, an arm extending from the support outward across the ,platen, a doctor blade carried by the arm a short distance above the platen to spread ink evenly thereon, means for driving the arm continuously :around the platen, and separate cams disposed adjacent said support and the outer end of the arm and simultaneously operable to lift the support and arm together periodically.

12. In a machine for stamping decorations on potteryware, a horizontal platen, a post extending above the center of the platen, a support slidably and rotatably mounted on the post, an arm extending from the support outward across the platen, a doctor blade carried by the arm a short distance above the platen to spread ink evenly thereon, a horizontal ring coaxial with said surface and located below the outer end of the arm, a vertically sliding connection between the ring and arm, means for rotating the ring continuously, and a cam for periodically raising the arm relative to the ring to lift the blade.

13. In a machine for stamping decorations on potteryware, a horizontal platen, a post extending above the center of the platen, a support slidably and rotatably mounted on the post, an arm extending from the support outward across the platen, a doctor blade carried by the arm a short distance above the platen to spread ink evenly thereon, a horizontal ring coaxial with said surface and located below the outer end of the arm, a vertically sliding connection between the ring and arm, means for rotating the ring continuously, a stationary cam near the ring, and a cam follower roller carried by the outer end of the arm and engageable with said cam for periodically raising the arm to lift the blade.

14. In a machine for stamping decorations on potteryware, a horizontal platen, a post extending above the center of the platen, a support slidably and rotatably mounted on the post, an arm extending from the support outward across the platen, a doctor blade carried by the arm a short distance above the platen to spread ink evenly thereon, a horizontal ring coaxial with said surface and located below the outer end of the arm, a post projecting upward from the ring, the outer end of the arm being connected to the ring post for vertically sliding movement only, a roller carried by the outer end of the arm, a circular track supporting the roller, and means for raising said support periodically to lift the blade.

ARTHUR A. WELLS. GEORGE S. KNAPP.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 699,110 Marks Apr. 29, 1902 2,124,011 Smith July 19, 1938 2,394,420 Allen et al. Feb. 5, 1946 

